Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee on Nov. 5th, 2018

[Rachel Blaney, NDP, North Island—Powell River, BC]

That's for the broader community as well.

In your report, you also talked about climate change having a fairly significant impact. In terms of infrastructure, what kind of impact is climate change having on the infrastructure that you have, knowing that you already have a deficit? How is that working out?

[Johannes Lampe]

The best answer that I usually give to people who ask questions is “Come and see”. As I said, for air transportation and marine service for Nunatsiavut, like other Canadian communities, we want to move forward with the new technologies that are happening for the southern parts of Canada and people who want to come to our region. We're not ready, so until we get the infrastructure that can be provided for us, right now all we can say is that we're not ready, so provide us with the infrastructure that is needed within Nunatsiavut. You are welcome to come.

[Rachel Blaney, NDP, North Island—Powell River, BC]

What I'm hearing you say is that if you don't have the infrastructure, there's a lot of opportunity that you can't capitalize on because you simply don't have the resources.

[Johannes Lampe]

Yes, exactly. Minister Mitchell could add to that.

[Kate Mitchell]

Yes, I wanted to add something.

We were talking about the Nain airstrip and the need for an airstrip. I think one of the effects of climate change on our airstrip in Nain right now is that with the permafrost, the culverts for the airstrip drainage are not working properly, and there's a lot of erosion.

That is an effect of climate change, as you can see, and it is now affecting the airstrip. Some maintenance or repair needs to be done right away. When you land on the airstrip, you can feel it and see it.

We have the report that we presented today and will present to Minister Garneau tomorrow. We'll have the photos there.

[The Chair, Liberal, MaryAnn Mihychuk]

Thank you.

We have only about four minutes, and I understand that I have a chance to share this time with MP Hunter Tootoo.

Let's split it. You start, and I'll wrap up.

[Hunter Tootoo, Independent, Nunavut, NU]

Maybe I won't stop, Madam Chair. Thanks.

[Voices]

Oh, oh!

[The Chair, Liberal, MaryAnn Mihychuk]

I'm being generous, but I have a gavel.

[Hunter Tootoo, Independent, Nunavut, NU]

I appreciate it. Thank you very much.

Welcome. It's good to see you again.

In listening to your stories, it seems like it could be our premier saying the same thing for Nunavut. It's one thing the Inuit have in common, I guess. We've been ignored for far too long by the federal government.

I guess you want to talk about the infrastructure deficit. I can totally relate. We're in the same kayak, if you want to say that, right? Do you think the federal government needs to focus more directly with the Nunatsiavut government, the Nunavut government and the governments of the jurisdictions to come up with something to address that infrastructure deficit insofar as what your priorities are and in dollars that will actually get something done quickly?

[Johannes Lampe]

Thank you, Hunter.

You're absolutely right. Building a relationship is very important. We are starting to make that progress in building a relationship with the Government of Canada. Talking about what needs we have with a government that cares and is able to help and support those needs, whether it's for Labrador or Nunavut, is very important.

[The Chair, Liberal, MaryAnn Mihychuk]

Thank you.

All right. For you, Mr. Shaw, I have five questions in a series, and you only have about a minute to respond.

Number one, what's the cost of fibre per kilometre? Number two, is it possible to upgrade satellites? Number three, would it help to add more satellites so that we can have service in the Arctic? Number four, do we need forwarding dishes, or is there some other temporary mode of improving the signal reliability? Finally, I think I heard you say that you had some confidence with regard to low-altitude satellites.

You have 60 seconds.

[Curtis Shaw]

The cost for fibre per kilometre is a tough one to answer. It ranges. We have some low precedents in areas along railways that we can trench. When you work in the High Arctic, it's really quite costly. I can provide the committee with that off-line.

In terms of upgrades to satellites, typically satellites are designed so that they are not upgradeable. Once they're in orbit, you can't upgrade them.

On new satellites, absolutely: the Nunavut project is using a brand new Telesat satellite, a Telstar 19 Vantage. It's providing 10 gigabits per second over Nunavut. We've actually 20 times the capacity in that territory. The satellite industry is evolving, so adding new satellites is absolutely a yes.

In terms of dishes, typically the bigger dishes have better received signals. We have some very large dishes in the north, some 10- to 12-metre dishes. With some of the new technology that's coming out, we're putting in four- or five-metre dishes. They are smaller. There's a lot of innovation on the dish size.

In terms of LEO, the big advantage we see with LEO is high bandwidth and low latency. Right now, the geosynchronous satellites we have result in a half-second communication delay. The new LEO satellites coming out will eliminate that delay. They give you an almost fibre-like experience. Those are some of the things that we're working on in the LEO front.

I'm pretty optimistic that if these plans materialize, in three or four years you will see a change in the telecom landscape in northern Canada.

[The Chair, Liberal, MaryAnn Mihychuk]

That's very impressive. Thank you for that information. We really appreciate it.

Thank you for taking time out of your day and for travelling all the way to Ottawa.

Thanks to all of the MPs for the insightful questions.

The meeting is adjourned.